essence

essence► NOUN1) the intrinsic nature of something; the quality which determines something's character. 2) an extract or concentrate obtained from a plant or other substance and used for flavouring or scent.

Essence — Es sence, n. [F. essence, L. essentia, formed as if fr. a p. pr. of esse to be. See {Is}, and cf. {Entity}.] 1. The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it; sometimes called the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

essence — es·sence / es əns/ n 1: the real or ultimate nature of a thing: the properties that make a thing what it is his award is legitimate only so long as it draws its essence from the collective bargaining agreement United Steel Workers v. Enterprise… … Law dictionary